IUGG 2003 Abstract

JSP08 Coastal Processes and Storm Surges (IAPSO, IAMAS, LOICZ[IGBP])  Wednesday, July 9 PM Location: Site B, Room 19 Presiding Chair:T. Yanagi

TIME [ 1600 ] [ JSP08/09P/B19-005 ]

STATISTICS OF EXTREME WINDS; STORM SURGES AND OCEAN WAVES ALONG THE NORTH SEA COASTLINE, 1960 UNTIL TODAY

Hans VON STORCH(Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany)

Ralf WEISSE(Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany) Arnt PFIZENMAYER ( Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany ) Frauke FESER ( Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany ) Saskia ESSELBORN ( Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam, Germany ) Trygve ASPELIEN ( Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany )

The evolution of storm surge statistics along the North Sea coasts during the past 50 to 100 years is reconstructed using statistical and dynamical models with and without data assimilation. It turns out that the mean water level has increased since the 1960s by a few centimeters along the southern and eastern coast lines, but that the variations relative to the annual mean have undergone hardly any changes. This sea level rise is reflecting the tendency of the last decades for more frequent westerly wind conditions, which is not only associated with higher water levels in the southeast of the North Sea, but also with increased wave energy reaching the eastern shoreline as well as higher waves in the German Bight.